This week the Illinois Department of Public Health identified several Ogle County schools as COVID-19 outbreak sites.

Stillman Valley High School and elementary schools in Oregon and Stillman Valley reported cases.  So did schools in DeKalb and Sycamore. 

COVID-19 is still with us.  We can’t let down our guard and ignore doing things that help prevent the spread of the disease: wearing masks, social distancing and getting vaccinated.

I don’t think the world will ever be the same as it was in 2019. This will be with us for a while, and even when we think it is gone we will still have to live smartly.

Do I like getting stuck with a needle? No. Do I like wearing a mask? No. Do I think I would like to be on a ventilator, gasping for breath? No.

Does being vaccinated keep you absolutely safe? No, but you are less likely to develop a serious case or end up in the hospital.

Silver cord

I am on the mailing list for the daily news from Rochelle Township High School.

This week, a bulletin included a rundown on what the class of 2025 has been doing to earn silver cord hours.

Incoming first year students have worked flushing fire hydrants in Steward, watering plants at a church and park, helping out at a bereavement camp, vacuuming the artificial turf at The REC center, striping the junior fields, replacing landscaping beams in Steward and helping out their fellow citizens in other ways.
Sometimes we adults get a jaded view of young people….but they are doing amazing things that we never hear about.

One senior, Sergio Guevara, started his senior year meeting the required 400 service hours.

That should warm all our hearts.

Railroad crossing

I know it’s nothing city officials can do, but the area around the Burlington Northern railroad crossing in Flagg Center is terrible! Piles of dirt and tall weeds create a real eyesore. And I hope that if, or when, that side track going north gets abandoned that it is turned into a recreation path.  That would be a great draw for our area.

Sept. 11

This is a time of year when we need to pause and remember the victims of 20 years ago.  Every time I see a video of the firemen, police and other rescuers starting to climb up the towers’ staircases, I feel sick. 

Let us never forget their sacrifices, or their families.

Terry Dickow can be contacted at terrydickow@gmail.com